Bridgeport in Wise County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

First Baptist Church Bridgeport

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 10, 2023

1. First Baptist Church Bridgeport Marker

Inscription. In 1882, Rev. Alphus Hawkins, W.W. Cannon and 23 charter members started this church in old town Bridgeport. After meeting in the schoolhouse and two other sites, the church moved to their own one-room building here in 1895. Coal mining, cattle ranching and the railroad brought growth. By 1920 the church had 300 members and the Women's Missionary Union sponsored Blanche Groves as the church's first missionary to China. Campus additions included a new sanctuary (1925), education building (1947), worship center (1959), family life center (1980) and new education building (2000). First Baptist has sponsored three missions (Cates St. Baptist Church, El Calvario Bautista and First Baptist of Runaway Bay) and has supported many other area endeavors. 175 Years of Texas Independence 1836 - 2011

Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16812.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Religion & Religious Structures.

Location. 33° 12.567′ N, 97° 45.3′ W. Marker is in Bridgeport, Texas, in Wise County. It is at the intersection of East Cates Street and 12th Street, on the right when

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

traveling west on East Cates Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1204 12th Street, Bridgeport TX 76426, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bridgeport Lodge No. 587, A.F. & A.M. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bridgeport Coal Mines (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. John the Baptizer Catholic Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); First Presbyterian Church of Bridgeport (approx. 0.7 miles away); Republic of Texas' Santa Fe Expedition in Wise County (approx. 1.1 miles away); Toll Bridge and Old Bridgeport (approx. 2 miles away); George Lafayette Ramsdale (approx. 5.2 miles away); Dr. M. W. Matthews (approx. 5.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bridgeport.

First Baptist Church Bridgeport and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 10, 2023

2. First Baptist Church Bridgeport and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 504 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 11, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.